Daily Update 9/9: U.S. Senate Interim Appointment

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Today: Wednesday, September 9, 2009

• Lieutenant Governor Murray will testify in support of legislation granting the Governor the authority to make an interim appointment to the United States Senate this afternoon at the State House. Read his testimony and Governor Patrick's letter here.

• Governor Patrick has declared today Video Game Innovation Day in Massachusetts. Massachusetts, a world leader in technological innovation, is home to one of the largest and most diverse clusters of video game companies and talent in the country, generating over $3 billion in sales in 2008. Learn more here.

In the Press:

• U.S. Senate Interim Appointment – Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray today provided testimony to the Joint Committee on Election Laws in support of legislation granting the Governor the authority to make an interim appointment to the U.S. Senate. Filling the vacancy created by the untimely loss of Senator Kennedy is critical because many of the state’s vital interests are at stake in Congress right now. Read Boston Globe editorials calling for the Legislature to approve the legislation here and here.

• Seeking Disaster Relief – Governor Deval Patrick continues to urge the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue a disaster declaration in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties for agricultural production losses suffered due to this summer’s abnormally cool and rainy weather: “Weather-related blight is causing significant damage on potato and tomato crops,” Governor Patrick wrote in his letter to the USDA. “I respectfully request that you consider these counties for a Secretarial Designation for production losses due to excessive moisture, flooding, hail and cool temperatures, resulting in late blight.” Learn more here.

• Read more in the Boston Globe, the Boston Business Journal, the Associated Press, at NECN, or on iBerkshires.

• Bay State Employers Recognized by AARP – The Patrick-Murray Administration’s executive branch has made the AARP list of 2009 Best Employers for Workers Over 50. Also making this year’s AARP grade are DentaQuest of Charlestown, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both of Cambridge. According to the AARP, they join a diverse group of 50 forward-thinking employers recognized for demonstrating that enlightened policies toward 50-plus employees make good business sense. Learn more here.

• Commitment to Public Health –  Yesterday, the Patrick Administration announced that the Department of Youth Services (DYS) and its educational provider, the Hampshire Educational Collaborative, have been awarded a $470,000 grant to support physical education programs for youth in eight DYS residential facilities across the state. The grant will support the Healthy Opportunities, Positive Effects (HOPE) initiative, which strives to promote physical activity and nutritional instruction for youth in the care and custody of DYS. Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby stated, “The Patrick Administration is committed to promoting healthy living for all young people in the Commonwealth…More than half of adults in Massachusetts are overweight or obese, as are one-third of our middle and high school students. The Department of Youth Services’ new physical education and healthy living program will help our clients make more informed choices throughout their lives.” Learn more here.

• Clean Energy Leaders – Under Governor Patrick’s Green Communities Program, Brookline, in addition to 100 other cities and towns, will receive free technical assistance as they work to qualify for $10 million in grants for municipal energy efficiency and renewable power projects. “This is a great example of the administration’s efforts to partner with municipalities in as many areas as possible,” Lieutenant Governor Murray said. “Massachusetts cities and towns are committed to doing their part to protect our environment, and we look forward to working with them as they do.” Read more here.

• Increase in Green Jobs – Thanks to the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to renewable energy, the number of jobs in the state’s solar energy industry has risen dramatically from 2007 to 2008. “A survey of nearly 100 solar energy employers in Massachusetts showed the number of jobs in the sector grew from 1,086 in 2007 to 2,075 in 2008, Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Bowles said. The growth is ‘indicative of the health and welfare’ of the local solar energy industry, he said. Read more here.

This Week:

• Yesterday, the Patrick Administration announced the creation of the Foster Child Bill of Rights to ensure that foster children across Massachusetts are treated with respect and actively included in the decisions that affect their lives. “We want the young people who come into the care of the Commonwealth to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Governor Patrick. “I commend the young people who helped put the Bill of Rights together and the Department of Children and Families for their focus on improving the policies and practices that affect foster children.” Learn more.

• Yesterday, Governor Patrick urged the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue a disaster declaration in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties for agricultural production losses suffered due to this summer’s abnormally cool and rainy weather. Farms across the Commonwealth have seen losses ranging from 30 percent to 100 percent because of persistent inclement weather or disease. Learn more.